Emperor Eukleides Kyrillos Iv

By Durandal

• November 3, 2015

Age: 400

Gender: Male

Species: Non-Pony

Appearance: Eukleides, like most changeling rulers, is about the size of an adult alicorn, with the same physical features. The colors of his carapace and hair range from yellow-orange to an umbra orange. His wings, eyes, and the tips of his "crown" are a bright orange.

Personality: Kyrillos, as the fourth in his lineage, is tremendously burdened by expectations - not only from his family, which expect him to maintain their legacy, but by the entire world. As one of the most significant changeling rulers in power, what he does is representative of his race. <br /><br />If Kyrillos is affected by this burden, it doesn't show. Patient, understanding, and charming, he handles his mantle with incredible grace. Combined with extraordinarily liberal policies, he can be considered a paragon of Dominion society, as is expected of a monarch.<br /><br />But he isn't above scrutiny. He avoids force, is merciful with his enemies, and accommodates other species. Compared to his ancestors, he has led a nearly bloodless rule. This has caused many to condemn him as spineless, soft, and a xenophiliac, unwilling to do the 'dirty work' that ruling an empire demands. <br /><br />In some ways, this is correct - he's had his share of missteps at home and abroad, is hesitant, and has been betrayed many times. Some would even call him naive - unwilling to believe that might makes right, that evil can triumph over good.<br /><br />At the same time, many have accused him of being insidious himself. He is swift to threaten weaker nations to meet his ends, quickly jumps on opportunities to colonize land or absorb hives, and many claim he has connections to several proxy wars and secret negotiations. To some, he's not a conqueror, but an imperialist.<br /><br />Despite his foreign blunders and hidden agendas, he is incredibly popular domestically. Under his rule, the Dominion has experienced a golden age of prosperity and economic growth, with no sign of it stopping. In part because of his excellent choice in advisers, in part experience and ability, few question the effectiveness of his policies.

Backstory: His Majesty, Eukleides Kyrillos the Fourth, is the current emperor of the Scynthrae Dominion and the head of the Kyrillos Brood, which has ruled the Kyndros Hive, and the Dominion, for millenia. Since he has only just come into power following the untimely demise of his mother, Ambrosia Kyrillos the Third, comparatively little has happened during his rule. Regardless, his rule is often celebrated as one of peace, and he works hard to keep it this way.<br /><br />The first test of his rule was the emergence of the Chrysalis Hive, who was thought lost during the Discordian Era. Directly attacking Canterlot, fear and anger towards changelings erupted not only in Equestria but in the Dominion. Facing increasingly distant relations with Equestia, outrage at home, and economic losses, Kyrillos was forced to condemn another of his species.<br /><br />Following this, he began a species relations campaign. Lowering tariffs, abolishing centuries-old discriminatory policies, revising the Charter of the Dominion, and even petitioning Equestria for a combined operation to hunt and prosecute members of the Chrysalis Hive, some said that the Dominion changed overnight. While unpopular, even angering to some, the campaign was effective. Relations U-turned, trade flowed, and prosperity reigned.<br /><br />Some say this has emboldened him. If he can keep the most powerful nation on Equus appeased in days, what could possibly stop him?